COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew today announced that it has traded the club’s 2014 Fourth Round SuperDraft pick to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to midfielder Daniel Paladini. Paladini – who was originally eligible for selection in Stage One of today’s Major League Soccer Re-Entry Process – opted out of the Process. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, further terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Paladini enters his sixth season in MLS. Originally drafted by the LA Galaxy in the Second Round (24th overall) in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, the Cal State Northridge graduate spent a season with the now-defunct San Fernando Valley Quakes in the USL Premier Development League, helping the club to its first-ever playoff appearance before signing with Chivas USA. Paladini made his MLS debut on May 11, 2008. He played one season with the Goats before joining NASL side Carolina RailHawks in 2009, where he was named All-League Best XI after scoring five goals and four assists in 28 matches. In 2010, Paladini saw increases in goals (seven) and assists (five) with the RailHawks, leading him to his second consecutive NASL Best XI honor, catching the interest of the Chicago Fire.

With The Men in Red, Paladini would find a consistent home for three seasons from 2011-2013, playing alongside Crew forward Dominic Oduro for two years. In three campaigns, Paladini posted 58 regular-season appearances – including 30 starts – and recorded four goals and six assists in Chicago. In his final season with the Fire, he made 20 appearances and set a new career high in assists (three) and his pair of goals matched his previous high, set in 2012. Paladini also registered a goal and two assists – including the game-winner – in a 3-1 win over the eventual Supporters’ Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, on April 7, 2013.

TRANSACTION: Crew trades its 2014 Fourth Round SuperDraft selection to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to midfielder Daniel Paladini.